Sooner or later many people in Germany want to drive. Learn how to ask about converting a licence from India, talk about inspections, insurance and car sharing, and describe things with participles like <i>das reparierte Auto</i>.
| German | Meaning |
|---|---|
| der Führerschein, -e | driving licence |
| den Führerschein umschreiben lassen | to have one's licence converted |
| die Umschreibung, -en | conversion (of a licence) |
| die Führerscheinstelle, -n | driving licence office |
| die Fahrschule, -n | driving school |
| der Fahrlehrer, - / die Fahrlehrerin, -nen | driving instructor |
| die Fahrstunde, -n | driving lesson |
| die Theorieprüfung, -en | theory test |
| die Praxisprüfung, -en | practical driving test |
| der Sehtest, -s | eye test |
| der Erste-Hilfe-Kurs, -e | first-aid course |
| der TÜV | vehicle inspection organisation; (informal) the inspection |
| die Hauptuntersuchung, -en | roadworthiness test |
| die Kfz-Versicherung, -en | car insurance |
| das Carsharing | car sharing |
| die Vorfahrt | right of way |
| rechts vor links | priority to the right |
| der Verkehr | traffic |
| der Radfahrer, - / die Radfahrerin, -nen | cyclist |
| die Ampel, -n | traffic light |
| die Autobahn, -en | motorway |
| tanken | to fill up (with fuel) |
| das Elektroauto, -s | electric car |
| ein Auto anmelden | to register a car |
| zuständig (für + Akk.) | responsible (for) |
| gebraucht | used, second-hand |
You already know the Partizip II from the perfect tense: Ich habe das Formular ausgefüllt. You can also put it in front of a noun and use it like a normal adjective, with the usual adjective endings. The meaning is usually passive or finished: something has been done to the noun. das ausgefüllte Formular = the form that has been filled in; die geschlossene Tür = the door that has been closed; ein gebrauchtes Auto = a car that has been used. After the noun, or after sein, the participle has no ending: Die Tür ist geschlossen.
| Verb | Partizip II | As adjective |
|---|---|---|
| reparieren | repariert | das reparierte Auto |
| parken | geparkt | ein geparktes Auto |
| übersetzen | übersetzt | eine übersetzte Kopie |
| fahren | gefahren | die gefahrenen Kilometer |
| schließen | geschlossen | mit geschlossenen Fenstern |
The Partizip I is easy to form: infinitive + -d. fahren → fahrend, kommen → kommend, warten → wartend, lachen → lachend. It describes something that is happening at the same moment and has an active meaning: das fahrende Auto = the car that is moving; die wartenden Kunden = the customers who are waiting. It takes normal adjective endings too: Steigen Sie nie in einen fahrenden Zug ein! Compare the two participles: die schließende Tür is closing right now, die geschlossene Tür is already closed. English often uses a relative clause or an -ing form for both.
In written German, especially in instructions, news and official texts, extra information can stand between the article and the participle: die von rechts kommenden Autos (the cars that are coming from the right), das per App gebuchte Auto (the car that was booked via an app), der seit Jahren gültige Führerschein (the licence that has been valid for years). Read these phrases from the article, jump to the noun, and then go back to the words in between. When you speak, a relative clause is often easier and sounds more natural: die Autos, die von rechts kommen. You don't have to produce long participle phrases at B1, but you should be able to understand them in letters and on signs.
Tap the words in the right order.
Write an email to a driving school (80–100 words). Introduce yourself, explain that you have a licence from India and want to drive in Germany, ask whether they offer practice lessons and a theory course, and ask for an appointment for a first meeting.
Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren, mein Name ist Arjun Mehta und ich wohne seit einigen Monaten in Köln. Ich habe einen indischen Führerschein und fahre seit zehn Jahren Auto. Jetzt möchte ich meinen Führerschein umschreiben lassen. Die Führerscheinstelle hat mir gesagt, dass ich wahrscheinlich eine Theorie- und eine Praxisprüfung machen muss. Bieten Sie einen Theoriekurs am Abend an? Außerdem würde ich gern ein paar Übungsstunden nehmen, weil der Verkehr hier für mich neu ist. Könnte ich nächste Woche zu einem ersten Gespräch kommen? Mit freundlichen Grüßen Arjun Mehta
Whether and how you can convert a licence from India depends on your individual case, and the local Führerscheinstelle decides. For licences from many non-EU countries, including India, a theory test and a practical test are usually required, and there are time limits for driving with a foreign licence after you register your address. The rules can change, so check the website of your city's driving licence office early and ask them directly rather than relying on friends' experiences.
Driving in Germany has its own habits: rechts vor links at junctions without signs, many cyclists in cities, and strict parking rules. On some stretches of the Autobahn there is no general speed limit, but there is a recommended speed and many sections do have limits, so watch the signs. In big cities many people manage well without a car, thanks to public transport, bikes and car sharing.
Related: Driving licence guide · Road trips in Germany · German B1 lessons
